Why We Should Give Experiences As Gifts - And Win One!

Thursday, 25 July 2019

A few years ago I wrote a post on the blog Fly Drive Explore about why you need to spend money on travel and experiences rather than possessions. This was one of the first posts I wrote on the travel blog that I created with my husband. I still agree with this sentiment today. Don't get me wrong, most of us like having nice things, like the latest tech, new bag or item of jewellery but do these possessions really matter in the grand scheme of things?People say money makes the world go round, and it does, but after having your basic needs met, I think travel and experiences make you happier in the long term than possessions. A psychology professor at Cornell University by the name of Dr Thomas Gilovich has been studying this for the past 20 or so years. His research shows that when we buy new items, at first we are excited, but then over time we adapt and lose that excitement, however with experiences, our satisfaction just goes up over time, especially when we connect to others.

To illustrate this point, we recently went on a road trip to the USA. Over three weeks we drove Route 66 on the historic roads from Chicago to LA. This road trip took us over 3000 miles and along the route we bonded - with the experience and the people we met on the way. The old school Americana petrol stations, the cool 50's diners, the historic motels and giant roadside statues along the route are not to be forgotten, and the cities, small towns and detours were amazing, from bustling Chicago to the murals of Pontiac, the splendour of the Grand Canyon and red rocks of Sedona. Route 66 was an experience of a lifetime.

We would drive down quiet roads, sometimes for hundreds of miles to get to each Route 66 attraction, and then we would see the same people and connect, such as the two men from New Zealand we chatted to in the Midpoint Cafe and the group of Americans from Texas who were driving the route in classic cars. Talking about the experience with others when we returned too, made us relive the memories, memories I am sure we will cherish forever.

Of course, this trip was a bucket list experience but there are many ways we can experience something different and something memorable. From driving a supercar, aqua zorbing with a friend, seeing the view from the top of the Shard, or having afternoon tea in that chic restaurant with your loved one, I would take an experience like these any day over buying the latest gadgets.

There are a number of companies that sell experiences like this and recently The Gift Experience contacted me regarding a blog collaboration. Of course, as I am totally on their wavelength when it comes to experience gifts, I couldn't wait to find out about this company.

The Gift Experience is a British company established in 2003, that sell a range of personalised gifts as well as an amazing selection of gift experiences, What I like about the company it that is that it is a family-run business that focuses on their excellent customer service, and the majority of their personalised gifts are engraved and printed in house.

From pamper days to football stadium tours to skydiving and glamping, I feel an experience gift is a memorable day that won't be forgotten easily. I've personally given a supercar racing day to Mr W in the past, as well as an experience he won't forget flying a Tiger Moth.

As Dr Gilovich says, “We consume experiences directly with other people, and after they’re gone, they’re part of the stories that we tell to one another.”

Today on the blog I am giving you the chance to win an afternoon tea for two at a choice of venue nationwide for The Gift Experience. With dainty finger sandwiches, warm inviting scones, scrumptious delicious cakes and lashings of tea or coffee, an afternoon tea for two makes a lovely gift experience.

Entry is the Gleam app below, which is easy to use and you can also enter daily so don't forget to bookmark this page if you like the prize. Good luck!

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